Herb Washington

1999 Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame Inductee

Category: TRACK & FIELD

Parent: Mary Washington
Wife: Gisele
Daughter: Ariell
Son: Terrell

Herb grew up on the north side of Flint and attended Parkland Elementary, Emerson Junior High. He attended Northem High School for one year, graduated from Central High School and went on to graduate from Michigan State University.

Herb always wanted to be an all around athlete, and his dream was to be a nine letter man. However, because of school boundaries, he was transferred to Central and had to sit out for one semester, missing the chance to play football or basketball that semester.

However, Northem’s loss became Central’s gain. Central’s coach Krieger took Herb to indoor track meets all over the country. He gained national attention when he tied world class sprinter Charlie Green in the 50 yard dash at the Milwaukee Joumal Indoor Track Meet.

At Michigan State, Herb shattered indoor records in both 50 and 60 yard dashes. His biggest thrill at Michigan State was breaking the world record in the 60 yard dash with a time of 5.8 seconds.

Herb received the prestigious NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, which recognizes former student athletes who have distinguished themselves 25 years after completing their college career.

As a collegian, Herb was a four time All-American. He won one NCAA title, seven Big Ten titles and tied or broke the world record in the 50 and 60 yard dash several times.

As a senior at MSU, Herb was drafted in the 12th round by the Baltimore Colts in the 1972 NFL draft.

He became professional baseball’s first designated pinch runner and played in the World Series.

Herb currently resides in Broadman, Ohio, where he is a successful businessman and active in numerous community service activities. He owns McDonald’s franchises in Ohio and Pennsylvania. In addition to his restaurants, Herb has been a member of the board of directors of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of New York since 1993. He serves on the board of directors of the United Negro College Fund, and was inducted into the Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.